Government grants ranging from £35,000 to £500,000 are available to farmers, growers and contractors in England to invest in new productivity-boosting equipment such as driverless tractors, automated milking systems, and robotic harvest, spray and hoeing machines.
Grants are also available towards the purchase of new equipment that lowers slurry acid levels. The new £25m scheme is the latest instalment of the Farming Investment Fund, which is designed to increase productivity on farms.
“If you are a farm owner and are planning to invest in your business to increase productivity in an environmentally sustainable way, this fund may be suited to your needs,” comments Rural Payments Agency chief executive Paul Caldwell.
“There is a wide variety of equipment and systems farmers can apply for though the Farming Investment Fund, and our new online eligibility checker is designed to make your application process even faster and easier.”
Grants are paid in arrears, and at least 60% of the project costs need to be paid for through private sources like savings or a bank loan. The closing date for applications is March 16, 2022. Further themed grants will open later this year.
